The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) held its annual Rookie Draft last Sunday, August 28, 2011 with Smart Gilas' JV Casio as the #1 rookie pick.
The Powerade Tigers, the team which had the ball this 2011 PBA Draft to choose the 1st overall draft pick, has selected former De La Salle University (DLSU) player JV Casio from 34 aspirants.

Getting the 2nd pick was the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the team picked Paul Lee from the University of the East (UE).

Here's the results of the 2011 PBA Rookie Draft, starting off with 5'10"-tall JV Casio as the 1st overall pick:

James Soriano, a 21-year-old student from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and columnist at Manila Bulletin since 2008, made it among hot searches on Google and also became a hot trending topic both on Twitter and Yahoo Philippines today, August 26, 2011.

That's because of James Soriano's article entitled "Language, learning, identity, privilege" which was published on Manila Bulletin's online website (mb.com.ph) at 4:06am today, but was later deleted before noon because of controversial content.

The fact that Manila Bulletin decided to remove James Soriano's article could mean that there must be something wrong in its content.

Good thing PEXers were able to copy the article before it was deleted. Read on...

English is the language of learning. I’ve known this since before I could go to school. As a toddler, my first study materials were a set of flash cards that my mother used to teach me the English alphabet.

My mother made home conducive to learning English: all my storybooks and coloring books were in English, and so were the cartoons I watched and the music I listened to. She required me to speak English at home. She even hired tutors to help me learn to read and write in English.

In school I learned to think in English. We used English to learn about numbers, equations and variables. With it we learned about observation and inference, the moon and the stars, monsoons and photosynthesis. With it we learned about shapes and colors, about meter and rhythm. I learned about God in English, and I prayed to Him in English.

Filipino, on the other hand, was always the ‘other’ subject — almost a special subject like PE or Home Economics, except that it was graded the same way as Science, Math, Religion, and English. My classmates and I used to complain about Filipino all the time. Filipino was a chore, like washing the dishes; it was not the language of learning. It was the language we used to speak to the people who washed our dishes.

We used to think learning Filipino was important because it was practical: Filipino was the language of the world outside the classroom. It was the language of the streets: it was how you spoke to the tindera when you went to the tindahan, what you used to tell your katulong that you had an utos, and how you texted manong when you needed “sundo na.”

These skills were required to survive in the outside world, because we are forced to relate with the tinderas and the manongs and the katulongs of this world. If we wanted to communicate to these people — or otherwise avoid being mugged on the jeepney — we needed to learn Filipino.

That being said though, I was proud of my proficiency with the language. Filipino was the language I used to speak with my cousins and uncles and grandparents in the province, so I never had much trouble reciting.

It was the reading and writing that was tedious and difficult. I spoke Filipino, but only when I was in a different world like the streets or the province; it did not come naturally to me. English was more natural; I read, wrote and thought in English. And so, in much of the same way that I learned German later on, I learned Filipino in terms of English. In this way I survived Filipino in high school, albeit with too many sentences that had the preposition ‘ay.’

It was really only in university that I began to grasp Filipino in terms of language and not just dialect. Filipino was not merely a peculiar variety of language, derived and continuously borrowing from the English and Spanish alphabets; it was its own system, with its own grammar, semantics, sounds, even symbols.

But more significantly, it was its own way of reading, writing, and thinking. There are ideas and concepts unique to Filipino that can never be translated into another. Try translating bayanihan, tagay, kilig or diskarte.

Only recently have I begun to grasp Filipino as the language of identity: the language of emotion, experience, and even of learning. And with this comes the realization that I do, in fact, smell worse than a malansang isda. My own language is foreign to me: I speak, think, read and write primarily in English. To borrow the terminology of Fr. Bulatao, I am a split-level Filipino.

But perhaps this is not so bad in a society of rotten beef and stinking fish. For while Filipino may be the language of identity, it is the language of the streets. It might have the capacity to be the language of learning, but it is not the language of the learned.

It is neither the language of the classroom and the laboratory, nor the language of the boardroom, the court room, or the operating room. It is not the language of privilege. I may be disconnected from my being Filipino, but with a tongue of privilege I will always have my connections.

So I have my education to thank for making English my mother language.

***

The article has triggered hot discussion among Pinoy internet users such as on social networking sites (Twitter and Facebook).

Some have criticized the author for being reckless, arrogant and insulting.

I think the only objectionable thing that James Soriano said was that "Filipino is the language of the streets and not the language of the learned", but he actually made a point, a hurting truth about our education system.

Singer-songwriter Jim Paredes has also reacted on the issue. "No reason to hate James Soriano. He merely opened a topic that we either resonate with or not," he said on Twitter.

***

So, what are your thoughts on James Soriano's controversial article for Manila Bulletin? Share...share...share...

The 60th Miss Universe pageant (Miss Universe 2011) has already started in São Paulo, Brazil with a record 89 candidates competing for the title.
The candidates from USA, China, Netherlands, Costa Rica, Brazil, Greece, Malaysia, Paraguay, Ukraine, Australia, Sweden, Angola, Albania, Venezuela and Puerto Rico are considered as favorites this early stage of the competition.

The Presentation Show or the Preliminary Competition is scheduled on September 8 and the finals will be on the 12th, both to be staged at the Credicard Hall in São Paulo, Brazil.

Three (3) Asian finalists are currently dominating the voting for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Based on the voting trends (both from international and national votes) released last Tuesday, the mangrove forest Sundarbans in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India currently has the most international votes or votes coming from outside the home country, followed by South Korea's Jeju Island and the Philippines' Palawan Underground River.

As for the most national votes (votes coming from within the home country), Jeju Island is currently leading followed by Sundarbans and the PP Underground River.

The voting trends above do not show the exact ranking of the 28 finalists but it clearly shows that our very own Palawan Underground River has a strong chance of being part of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

Piolo Pascual and KC Concepcion have reportedly broken up. Are you surprised?
If you're one of those who doubted their relationship ever since, then you aren't surprised at all to hear about their breakup.

The rumored breakup began circulating early this week despite KC sharing on The Buzz last Sunday about their 10th monthsary.

But it remains just a rumor as no confirmation yet coming from KC and Piolo themselves.

However, KC's Twitter posting this afternoon would hint about something (that she and Piolo have already broken up?). She posted: "when things go beyond our Understanding, we can choose to Accept everything - just as they are..! because Faith steps in :) no regrets ... :)"

It's sad to know if it's true that they already broke up 'coz they're a beautiful couple and they seem perfect for each other.

Star Cinema's "Way Back Home" opened in cinemas last August 17, 2011 against new Hollywood releases ("Conan The Barbarian", "Crazy, Stupid, Love.") and the still strong "The Smurfs" which is now on its 2nd week and "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" on its 3rd week.

Now everyone's excited to know which movie led the way last weekend (August 17 to 21).

Did "Way Back Home" successfully defeat the competition? Or will it still be "The Smurfs" which was #1 during its opening weekend (August 10-14)?

No box-office figures yet are available from Box Office Mojo, but SM Megamall, which has 12 cinemas showing 9 different movies, posted on Twitter late last night the 3 movies which dominated the box-office last weekend.

According to its tweet via @SMCinemaMega, the movies which ruled the weekend boxoffice as far as their cinemas are concerned are "Conan The Barbarian", "Way Back Home" and "The Smurfs".

That's most likely the movies' possible ranking when all box-office receipts from different cinemas nationwide are collected and counted.

Last Wednesday, August 17 (opening day), @SMCinemaMega already tweeted that "Conan The Barbarian" was already leading the box-office. "Conan the Barbarian leads the box office on its first day. Way Back Home in close second."

On Wednesday, August 24, four new movies (1 Pinoy, 3 foreign films) will open in cinemas and make the competition even tougher. These movies are "Tween Academy: Class of 2012", "Cars 2", "Final Destination 5" and "One Day".

The results for the Physician Board Exams taken from August 6 to 12, 2011 have been released by the PRC on Wednesday, August 17, 2011.
The Physician Licensure Exam Results were released 3 working days after the last day of examination held in Manila, Cebu and Davao.

Out of 2,131 examinees, 1,605 have passed the exam or that's 75.32%.

UP Manila's Mark Augustine Saquido Onglao leads the topnotchers with a grade of 88.42, followed by Mary Rose Manas Maballo from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila with 88.17.

UP Manila has the most number of topnotchers, a total of 8, and also has the highest passing percentage of 100% (144 passers), shared with Cebu Institute of Medicine (also 100% with 50 passers).

The University of Sto. Tomas (UST) had the highest number of examinees (372) and almost got 100% passing percentage. Only one examinee from UST failed the 2011 Physician Board Exam (a repeater who failed again).

Paris Hilton is now here in Manila, Philippines to shoot her Century Properties Paris Beach Club ad campaign and to grace the opening of her handbags and accessories store at SM Megamall.
She arrived Sunday, August 14, 2011, and she immediately posted on Twitter how happy she is to meet her Pinoy fans: "Mabuhay Philippines! I just arrived, thousands of fans waiting at the airport when I walked in. I feel so welcomed here! Mahal ko kayo! :)"

Paris also tweeted that she loves fashion stylist Bea Constantino and the Filipino designers. "Love my stylist here @Bea_Constantino. She is putting me in the most beautiful dresses. Loving all the Filipino designers, so talented!"

Without mentioning a particular Pinoy food, Paris also said on Twitter that she loves our food here: "I love the food in the #Philippines! So delicious! Loves it :)"

PREVIOUS UPDATE: The final matches in the 2011 William Jones Cup are happening today, August 14, 2011, and the Philippine national team "Smart Gilas" will vie only for the 3rd place slot after it lost to Iran, 59-78, during the semi-finals held yesterday.
Iran, who's the 2009 and 2010 William Jones Cup champion, now heads to its 3rd championship game in 3 years this time against Korea while Smart Gilas will have to face Chinese Taipei in a battle for 3rd place.

Prior to the "Smart Gilas vs Chinese Taipei" game which happens at 5PM and the championship game between Iran and Korea at 7 PM, the teams from Japan (last year's 3rd placer) and Jordan face each other first for the 5th slot.

All three games today will still be held at the Hsinchuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, Taiwan where all previous games were also held.

Last year, Smart Gilas finished in 4th place and if they win 3rd place today, it will be its highest placement in the William Jones Cup as "Smart Gilas" since the Philippines (San Miguel Beer and Philippine Centennial Team) already achieved that feat twice in 2005 and 2007, and even won champion two times, in 1985 and 1998.

During the 1st Us Girls August Awards in 2009, 3 winners were picked as Faces of the Year (Kim Chiu, Isabelle Daza and Tweety De Leon) while only 2 winners were named for the same category last year (Kim Chiu and Kristine Hermosa).

For the Most Fashionable Female category, Kim Chiu is so far the most popular choice with 62% while Dingdong Dantes is the leading choice as Most Fashionable Male having 39% of the votes, but Gerald Anderson is coming close with 31%.

Angel Locsin was reported missing in Paris, France after a luxury yacht sank off the coast of St. Tropez, France. A website called "Global Associated News" is claiming that a 120' luxury yacht was cruising off of the coast of St. Tropez in France when it happened and Filipina actress Angel Locsin was reportedly aboard the privately chartered vessel.The said website turns out to be just a hoax and exactly the same reports have already circulated in the past stating that a certain celeb went missing after the yacht accident.

Other celebs who have become targets of the same death hoax include Miley Cyrus, Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Justin Bieber, George Clooney, Daniel Radcliffe and many more.

And it seems like Angel Locsin is the only celebrity from the Philippines to be a victim of a false report about a yacht that sank in St. Tropez, France.

Angel was quick to deny the report on Twitter last night. She said that she's very much fine and not missing:

Thanks God you're safe Angel!

Angel left for Paris early last week for the screening of "In The Name of Love" and the "Bida Kapamilya" tour along with other stars.

Meanwhile, Angel's special friend Phil Younghusband is celebrating his 24th birthday today, August 4, 2011. (Phil is celebrating it with Angel in Paris)

Angel hasn't sent a public greeting yet to Phil via Twitter (maybe she already did privately thru a direct message or thru BBM or most probably in person) but Phil's many followers already did and the Azkals striker was thankful for the birthday greetings he received on Twitter:

The Department of Education in NCR has announced before noon today, August 3, 2011, that classes this afternoon in Metro Manila are already suspended.As announced, all afternoon classes in preschool, elementary and highschool levels in the National Capital Region (NCR) are suspended effective 12 noon today.

Isn't it a too late suspension?

DepEd's latest announcement on the suspension of classes for August 3, 2011 was based on PAGASA's 11am weather bulletin on Bagyong Kabayan which is forecast to bring moderate to heavy rainfalls throughout the day in NCR.

The suspension of classes came as the students were in school wrapping up their morning classes, 8 hours after DepEd announced at 4 AM today that there will be regular classes.

It would have been more convenient and much safer if DepEd ordered the suspension of classes as early as last night so that the students just stayed at home.

Some had to wake up early this morning just for DepEd's announcement only to know that there will be no suspension of morning classes.

Popular Thai actor and model Mario Maurer is Penshoppe's newest endorser and just last Monday, August 1, Penshoppe has already started its promo for Mario Maurer's Fan Conference to be held here in Manila.

A screenshot from the gay-themed Thai movie "Love of Siam" which launched Mario Maurer to stardom

And it's no joke: You'll be spending P5,000-plus to earn a free pass for Mario Maurer's Penshoppe fan conference, schedule of which is yet to be announced by October 20.

Here's the mechanics on how to join the said Penshoppe promo and get the chance to meet its newest endorser Mario Maurer when he comes to Manila (as posted on Penshoppe's Official Facebook Page and as stated on the promo poster):

MECHANICS:

1. Promo is valid from August 1 – October 15, 2011 in all participating Penshoppe & Teenlab boutiques nationwide.

2. Customer gets one stamp card with one stamp for a minimum purchase of P500 (regular price or sale items).

3. Customer earns one stamp for every P500 purchase (regular price or sale items) at Penshoppe.

4. Customer must complete 10 stamps in order to get a free pass to Penshoppe’s Fan Conference with their newest brand ambassador. Completed stamp cards may then be exchanged fan conference passes. One stamp card is equivalent to one pass only.

5. Strictly no combining of stamp cards allowed.

6. Meet and greet passes may be claimed at any Penshoppe boutique nationwide from October 20 – 28, 2011.

7. Fan conference schedule will be indicated on the passes and will be announced on Penshoppe’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

8. Passes are transferrable but not convertible to cash.

9. Passes are not for sale.

10. Golden ABC, Inc. will not shoulder any other expenses incurred by meet and greet pass holders such as transportation, accommodations, food, etc.

Are you guys joining the promo? (I am!)

Penshoppe team is already flying to Bangkok, Thailand today to shoot for Mario Maurer's ad campaign.

PREVIOUS UPDATE (4am, August 3):No suspension of classes today in Metro Manila despite the rains caused by Typhoon Kabayan (except in Muntinlupa City where afternoon classes are suspended), according to DepEd's Twitter posting this morning.It said, "NCR: Regular classes resume today, August 3. PAGASA predicts that the amount of rainfall today will be only half of yesterday's volume. We urge the public to continue monitoring the weather and stay alert for any announcements in case the rainfall volume increases.

Superintendents, Principals and LGUs may suspend classes if the situation warrants it. Parents can decide whether to send their children to school or not."

In Muntinlupa City however classes this afternoon are suspended due to heavy rains upon DepEd's consultation with the office of Mayor Aldrin San Pedro.

In Region 3, regular classes today except for the following still flooded schools in Pampanga:

There's also no suspension of classes in CALABARZON areas except in Taal, Batangas where afternoon classes are also suspended due to heavy rains.

In Region 1, whole day classes from preschool to highschool are suspended in San Carlos City due to continuous rainfall.

***

PREVIOUS UPDATE (9pm, August 2):No announcement yet has been made for the suspension of classes in Metro Manila tomorrow, August 3 (Wednesday), but the Department of Education or DepEd in NCR has promised to make an announcement by 4AM.

DepEd has just posted on its official Twitter account (@DepEd_PH) that the announcement on class suspension for August 3 will be based on PAGASA's weather bulletin to be issued at 2am and is asking everyone to tune in to radio or television for the announcement.

Are you excited for the announcement?

Better not expect for any class suspension guys, so you won't get disappointed.

Do your usual routines. Sleep early tonight and wake up early tomorrow to know if there will be suspension of classes.

What a burden, right? What if classes are suspended? That's too much of a burden to wake up early for that.

For Tuesday, August 2, classes in high school and elementary were suspended in Metro Manila due to heavy rains and floods caused by Bagyong Kabayan. The suspension of classes were announced late night on Monday, August 1.

Then at noon on Tuesday, the Malacanang has declared suspension of tertiary classes and also government work starting at 1PM.

Mykiru will just keep you updated for any announcement on class suspension for tomorrow, August 3.